Fund talk gets ugly

Since the news was reported a couple of weeks ago about an effort to create an incentive fund for economic development, many things appear clear.

First, most people -- certainly not all, but most -- seem to agree there is a need for such a program. Slowly but surely, it appears people are beginning to understand what it takes to be competitive in attracting big industrial projects these days. Some people will never get it.

Second, no one seems to want to be the one who helps pay for it.

On the table right now is a proposal to increase sales tax by either ¼ or ½ percent. In terms we all understand, we would pay either a quarter or 50 cents more for every $100 we spend, depending on what percentage is enacted.

There are many who live on fixed incomes or simply need every penny they can find to pay their bills. It's understandable when they get upset about the proposal.

No one really knows where this issue is headed. One thing is for sure, something needs to be resolved soon because the clock is running. Our elected officials need to determine whether we're in or out. A major project looking at our area will want to know soon.

I can respect opinions on both sides, but there are some under-the-surface rumblings that I do not understand.

For instance, there's one rumor circulating that has a small group wanting to separate the money that would be generated by the tax increase. In other words, they want money produced in Lauderdale County to stay in Lauderdale and be used to recruit projects there, with money generated in Colbert County staying in Colbert.

Personally, I cannot think of anything that would be more divisive in our community than that approach.

That kind of thinking would set our area back 25 years and tear down everything that has happened here over the past five or six years. We've seen benefits come to our area by working together. SCA Tissue, Walgreens Healthcare Initiative, Retirement Systems of Alabama and North American Lighting projects did not happen because we were selfish. The counties worked together.

Now, someone wants to change it? I don't get it.

Another ugly thing I've heard is how some people want to make sure they are the ones chosen to make all decisions related to the fund. For the record, the Shoals Economic Development Authority has not even hinted it wants control of the fund.

If this thing is approved, why not keep the current system? At present, SEDA officials work the project, and when this area makes the cut, they go to elected officials and let them know all the details. They then ask them if it's something they want to pursue.

If so, they let them know what it will take money-wise to compete.

It's not a complicated process, but one that has been successful. So, why don't we wait until something is broken before we fix it?

Mike Goens is the TimesDaily managing editor. He can be reached at 740-5740 or mike.goens@timesdaily.com.